TASP’s Rockin’ at the Opera, Friday, 3/7/14

03 Mar TASP’s Rockin’ at the Opera, Friday, 3/7/14

Telluride Adaptive Sports Program holds it’s big Winter fund-raiser Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Sheridan Opera House. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Why should you go? Full disclosure: I’m biased. I’ve been a member of the TASP team for 15 seasons. And I have been changed by the privilege of working with the people served by the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program.

I could give you the reasons in terms of numbers of people, both kids and adults, with disabilities that are served summer and winter. I could list the wide variety of outdoor activities available to those people. I could mention the fun evening in store with silent and live auctions, great food from some of the region’s best restaurants and caterers, with music by long-time local favorites, The Anders Brothers. I could tell you that this event is a big reason TASP is able to provide services for a number of people who could not otherwise afford to participate. I could speak of the wounded veterans, the local and regional school programs that benefit from the services of this great program. Instead I’ll let the words of one young man inspire you as they did me.

TASP Personnel in New Jackets from Telluride Rotary

Matt Hayes is a brilliant young man who just happens to be autistic. It’s not easy for Matt to communicate verbally. Don’t let that fool you! He wrote the following poem the night after his first ever day of skiing with TASP (and the second day on the mountain he was skiing powder!). I was so taken by what he had written, I asked if I could share it. Matt graciously agreed. Read it, then come to Rockin’ at the Opera to help TASP continue this work.

With Matt Hayes and Thalia Pryor at TASP

Tethering

Gilded wings dipped in flight;
Concert brings brighter light.

Light can carry beacons home;
Men can carry wounded drones.

In an hour the soul can find
Rest that comes from mountain time.

Broadband waves of gratitude
Give a sign of massing brood.

A man’s good works shine roundabout;
A man’s good heart stands for art.

In places where a man can shine
A soldier gives a candid rhyme.

Daring to bridge the gap
Majestically fills a map,

And honoring a broken one,
Honors both banded ones.

In our hearts a prince is known
When someone sees a static one.

In fellowship men can repair
By sharing wings that come in pairs.

A thank you sounds its deepest tone
When voiced by men who carry home

The prospect of a lighter flight
Brought by men who walk in light.

Matt Hayes, February 19, 2014

Thank you Matt. Once again, I came to teach, and instead I learned…